Padres Pedal the Cause is Bigger Than Ever at Petco Park November 11-12

SAN DIEGO, Nov. 7, 2017 /PRNewswire-iReach/ -- – Padres Pedal the Cause will have a record number of riders and is on track to significantly increase funds raised in the fight against cancer for the fifth annual cycling event taking place on November 11-12, 2017, at Petco Park. Event weekend will feature, for the first time, routes over the Coronado Bay Bridge, plus various distances for all skill levels, a stationary bike zone, virtual riding, a children's ride as well as numerous volunteer opportunities. The event raises money to find a cure for cancer by funding four major world-class research institutions in San Diego.

"We've already surpassed last year's 1,500 registered participants and have a goal to raise more than $3 million for cancer research in San Diego," said Anne Marchand, executive director of Padres Pedal. "It's going to be an incredible experience for our whole community. From those who ride over the Coronado Bridge to those who volunteer or do stationary cycling on the field, all will celebrate with great music, food, drinks, and inspirational programming to remind us why we all ride and fundraise."

The beneficiary organizations also participate in the cycling event by riding, volunteering and fundraising.

Sanford Burnham Prebys (SBP) is hosting a refueling station on its campus on North Torrey Pines Road on Sunday, November 12.

"We have about 20 volunteers who will hand out water, sports drinks and snacks, and cheer on the riders," said Garth Powis, D.Phil., director of the NCI-designated Cancer Center at SBP. "We also have a team of riders, including six researchers. SBP is proud to have raised more than $130,000 over the past four years."

Rady Children's Hospital-San Diego has four teams this year, nearly 150 riders and more than 20 volunteers. Padres Pedal the Cause partners with Rady Children's Hospital on the Ride for a Child program which matches children who are undergoing cancer treatment with adult teams who ride and raise funds in their honor.

Salk has the spirited Salk Cancer Center Team with 17 riders, 4 virtual riders and 3 volunteers. Throughout the first four years, the team has raised more than $93,000. They are also hosting a refueling station along the course on Sunday afternoon.

Moores Cancer Center at UC San Diego Health is participating this month with 12 teams, made up of more than 120 riders that include physicians, researchers, patients and survivors. They have raised nearly half a million dollars since the cycling event was founded.

"We want to encourage and welcome the whole community to join us in the fight to end cancer," Marchand said. "Kids ages 3 to 13 can ride their bikes, trikes or scooters in our Sempra Energy Kids Challenge on Saturday morning which includes a safely enclosed track on Park Boulevard and finish at Petco Park."

Registration for Padres Pedal is at http://www.gopedal.org. The website also includes information on the event, schedule, options for participation, and details about how the money raised is making an impact in the fight against cancer.

"Cancer is a disease that impacts all of us, including Randy Jones earlier this year, whose strength through treatment and into recovery inspires us," said Tom Seidler, Padres Senior Vice President of Community and Military Affairs. "This disease can make you feel helpless, but Padres Pedal the Cause allows us to make a real impact – one that stays right here in our own community. We are proud to partner with Pedal and host at Petco Park again in 2017. We look forward to working together to continue to grow this one-of-a-kind event."

Padres Pedal the Cause is possible through the generous support of its institutional partner, the San Diego Padres, and a collection of other key corporate partners throughout San Diego. 100% of all money raised by riders through fundraising is donated to cancer research. All expenses are underwritten through the generous support of corporate sponsors including BD, Sempra Energy, NuVasive, Wells Fargo, Qualcomm, and the Koman Family Foundation, among many others.

About Padres Pedal the Cause

Padres Pedal the Cause is a California non-profit public benefit corporation established to fund, plan and manage an annual two-day cycling fundraiser in partnership with the San Diego Padres. The organization's mission is to end cancer by raising money for innovative life-saving research in San Diego. To date, Padres Pedal has raised over $4.75 million and funded 19 collaborative research projects at four beneficiaries: Moores Cancer Center at UC San Diego Health, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, Salk Institute for Biological Studies and Rady Children's Hospital–San Diego. The goal and true hope is that the research funded by Padres Pedal the Cause will ultimately lead to a cure for cancer. For more information, please visit www.gopedal.org. Padres Pedal can also be found on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.